Unlocking the potential of New Zealand’s resources

Simon Court has announced ACT's new mining policy at the West Coast Minerals Forum hosted by Minerals West Coast in Greymouth.

“ACT will ease pressure on household power bills, keep businesses producing and create better-paid jobs in our regions by putting New Zealand’s gas and minerals to work,” says ACT's Energy and Resources spokesperson Simon Court.

“New Zealand has minerals needed for roads, homes, power lines, phones, batteries, and medical technology. We use these products every day, but too often refuse to produce the raw materials ourselves. That does not stop mining globally. It just sends the jobs, investment and environmental responsibility offshore.

“Developing these resources responsibly creates well-paid regional jobs, supports new industries, strengthens domestic supply chains, provides strategic resources to our allies, and generates royalties for the Crown.

“But it is unnecessarily difficult to explore and develop the resources we have. Projects can face overlapping approval regimes, uncertain timeframes, unclear rules for access to government-owned land, and regulatory settings that discourage investment even where environmental effects can be responsibly managed.

“ACT will unlock the potential of our resources with five practical reforms:

1: Unlock New Zealand’s minerals: ACT will turn New Zealand’s mineral potential into regional jobs, export income and secure supplies for the infrastructure and technology we depend on.
2: Strengthen New Zealand’s energy security: ACT will ensure a secure domestic supply of energy by keeping New Zealand open for exploration and letting businesses make their own choices about what fuel to use, while the Emissions Trading Scheme prices emissions.
3. Cut delays and duplication: ACT will streamline approvals for mining and energy projects by making each law serve a defined, distinct purpose, so that businesses don’t have to waste time and resources on duplicated processes.
4: Give investors greater confidence: ACT will protect legitimate committed investment, strengthen property rights, and stop lawful projects being derailed by political reversals or abusive delay.
5. Protect the environment and taxpayers: ACT will give investors a clear route to approval when they can meet enforceable environmental standards, and ensure its the operators carrying the costs for fulfilling them, not taxpayers.

“ACT’s approach is to set clear environmental rules, protect areas of genuinely high conservation value, make operators pay for the effects and liabilities they create, and then allow responsible projects to proceed without unnecessary duplication and delay.

“ACT will unlock New Zealand’s mineral and energy potential with clear rules, faster decisions, strong property rights and practical environmental protections.”

Note to editors: Policy document found here.